My Soldier

I have an "adopted" soldier that is stationed just outside of Baghdad. We've never met and yet, I consider him to be a good friend. I've written at least one letter a week and sent two care packages a month for the past 8 months and he writes when he can. Some of his letters are happy, some are scary, and some of them are filled with the horrors of war that he can't share with his family.

I received a letter from him recently that really touched me and brought tears to my eyes. Normally, I wouldn't share something like this but in the hopes that maybe this will lead someone else to "adopt" a soldier far away from home in need of support, I'm breaking my own rule of privacy. Any confidential information has been deleted and I've edited anything that I felt was too personal and would be disrespectful to share.

"It means a lot to me whenever I receive a letter from you. There have been days when you feel down and you just want to say forget it all. I must admit how supportive you've been has made this war easier. Alot of my co-workers are amazed at how dedicated you are about writing me and wish their Soldier's Angel was you. (smile)

It seems more and more soldiers die each day. A question I know that can't be answered is, "When will it end?" I sat on the flight to *****, took off my gear, and inserted my ear plugs. I looked to my right and I saw 3 boxes covered with a US flag. There were 3 dead soldiers on the flight being transported to the US and it really bothered me to see this because all I can think is how can you tell a mother, wife, child, or friend that your loved one has been killed. Things like that replay in my mind constantly.

Well, take care and God bless, and again, thank you for all you have been to me."

I want to thank Lindsey for telling me all about the Soldier's Angels program and I want to encourage anyone who has time to write some letters and send some love from home to check out this awesome program. http://www.soldiersangels.org/

Have a great week!

My Shameful Secret

I have a secret.

It's a little something that is tucked deep inside the hidden corners of the pleasure center in my brain .... and my brother found out and called me on it.

Awwww crap!

I admit it ... taking a deep breath ... Yes, I love bad 80's music!

Little brother borrowed my IPOD for his run and when he came back, he laughed at me! Brat!!

I can't help myself: Michael Jackson, Bananarama, Tears for Fears ... I love them all. Thank goodness he didn't get far enough into my playlist to find the Grease 2 soundtrack. Oh gosh, did I just admit to that too? I think it's time to go to bed.

Happy Thursday!

Things I Learned on Vacation Part 2

I have nothing exciting to write about and I don't want to vent about work so you are getting more vacation pictures instead.

Hanging in there at 2 a.m.

If you jump into a conga line, get sucked into beach olympics, and then escape over a brick wall because the stairs are blocked .... you will get a bruise like this one. It's much more purple and green in person. Charming!

The goat race is one way only. You aren't supposed to carry your goat back to the starting line!




If you fall asleep during dinner, people will take your picture! We loved R and M. They were too funny!

Always leave your mark in the sand.








And finally, this is where I'd rather be!!

Happy Tuesday!

Things I Learned on Vacation

Jamaica makes me happy. I'm going back!!

How to swear in Japanese from Edwin the sushi guy.

How to swear in Jamaican from Dewayne.

I can't fit in the dog house.

New shot games from Dewayne.

If you get naked in public, you will end up on the internet.

Pray before getting on the trapeze. It's freaking scary!

If you lose a flip flop, it will stay in the same place for 3 days.

My friends and my boy are the best and I LOVE them!!

As you can see, we had a great time on vacation. I have lots of stories to share but not tonight. I hope you all had a great week.

Happy Friday!

The Sound of Music

So long, farewell, alpheterzane (how do you spell that?) goodnight!

Just when my schedule clears up and I'm able to blog again, it's time to go on vacation. Not that I'm complaining, definitely not that! I will be gone for the next week and I promise to post again when I get home next weekend. I hope to have some fabulous pictures and crazy stories to share.

Have a great week!

Talk Amongst Yourselves

When women gather, there are many topics of conversation but the most recent conversations between my friends and I involve men, s*x, vacation, and men. No surprise there. The big surprise for me is how such a tightly knit group can have such different likes and dislikes.

I won't go into specifics for my friends but I can tell you what I'm attracted to. Intelligence, a great smile, a sense of humor, and a way of looking at me that makes me think I'm the most beautiful woman in the world.

As far as the bedroom goes, well, you're not getting those details but I will say this ... there is nothing better than the perfect kiss. When a man threads his fingers in my hair, tips my head back, and then brushes his lips against mine, I'm a goner.

So, what do you fancy?

Happy Sunday!

The Princess Principle

When I was leaving a store today, the young, male clerk said, "Thank you, ma'am. Have a nice day." I glanced at him and replied, "Please don't call me ma'am. It makes me feel old."

The clerk responded, "What would you prefer to be called?"

"Hmmmm ... well, princess would be nice."

Without missing a beat, he smiled, winked, and said, "All right then. Thank you, princess. Have a nice day."

What a sweetie. I think I'm in love.

Happy Friday!

Big Love

I can't sleep so I just watched Monday's episode of Big Love. I am totally obsessed with the idea behind this show. Polygamy, sister wives, a schedule of visitation with your spouse .... mind boggling, but at the same time, very thought provoking.

I asked my boy what he thought and, in typical male fashion, he was all for having more than one woman at his beck and call. LOL! I believe he was thinking more of the "intimate" moments than of things like shoe shopping, pms, and the ladies getting irritated when he leaves his socks everywhere. I can't say that I blame him though. If I could have a stable of beautiful men vying for my attention, I imagine it would be something akin to what a rock star feels. Mind you, that would be more socks for me to pick up ... ugh! Nope, that wouldn't work. Plus, I have that whole aversion to marriage thing.

I recently read a book where the characters formed an Ilian, an alternative kind of family. I believe they were allowed to have anywhere from 3 to 9 men and women form each unit.

Can you imagine? More people around to help handle life's daily issues, more people to laugh with, and more people to pick up socks ... and there is no binding, legal document! It sounds great to me so I'm taking applications!!

Happy 4th!

Let the Games Begin!

Red Stripe training officially began this weekend. Tomorrow is the nine day mark until my boy, myself, and my girls leave for JAMAICA!!! I am so excited and absolutely cannot wait. 8 days and 7 nights of pure, unadulterated bliss. Woo hoo!

T's 4th of July bash was Saturday and the Sun God didn't answer our prayers. It was rainy and yucky and yet we had the best time. About 20 people showed up and as the evening progressed, very strange comments were being bandied about and somehow they all took on a "bad" connotation. Go figure. With the way my mind has been working lately, that's no surprise. Here are some of the "best" ones:

Don't burn the weiners.
One little poke and the cobwebs are gone.
Did you get it off? Yes, with my mouth.
I need more juice.
There's some beef in the house.
It's a little bit further down that I thought it would be.
I hate it when it's just a squirt.
It was tough but I twisted it until it popped off.
Strap a board to it.
It's not that tight.
I can't find the hole.

When a men's hockey team showed up, nope not kidding, I took my leave. I hope you all had a great weekend!

Happy Monday!